TWO Redditch parents who tirelessly fund-raise for the community have been honoured at this years Excellence in the Community Awards.
The annual West Midlands Ambulance Service ‘Excellence in the Community’ awards, which takes place to recognise the valuable contribution of volunteers and other agencies from across the West Midlands, saw Redditch’s Rob and Maggie Underwood given an outstanding achievement award at the ceremony.
The event, sponsored by Excelerate, Mills and Reeve, Higgs and Son, Zoll, University of Worcester, Coventry University and Imprint took place at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on Thursday (March 30), recognising the efforts of Community First Responders, St John Ambulance, other emergency services and other voluntary organisations, businesses and individuals.
Deputy-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Viv Astling OBE, who helped present some of the awards on the evening, said: “Funnily enough I’ve never felt safer than I do here tonight.
“We are surrounded by some incredible people who work very hard on behalf of others and it really is a great testament to yourselves.
“My belief is that people do not get enough recognition for the good work they do in this country and I only wish that could be addressed. We are surrounded by award winners tonight and that is fantastic, you, along with all of your colleagues deserve great credit for the time you give to support the ambulance service, you should be very proud.”
WMAS Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum, added: “We are gathered here tonight to celebrate good samartians. This is an evening to celebrate those who do not pass by when someone is in need – members of the public, young children and those who work as volunteers supporting the ambulance service.
“I thank you very much on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service for your loyalty, dedication and hard work.”
Rob and Maggie lost two of their children- Charlotte Marie in December 2010 and Craig in December 2013 – to rare heart conditions, and since then they have set up the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation. The duo fund-raise and educate communities throughout Worcestershire as well as campaigning and raising money to install community access defibrillators in Redditch.
Visit http://www.ccshf.org.uk for more information.
